Just this weekend, I finished my last class for my EMBA degree. While I still have to do a final project, I am done with classes! This really struck home today when I realized that I didn’t have a couple hundred pages to read for the next class that would start up this coming Friday if I was still in class. So WAHOO!!!!
It has been a crazy year, possibly the busiest of my life. So I’ve been reflecting on what “busy” has been for me over the various phases of my life.
I thought I was busy in High School. In addition to classes, I was very involved in extracurricular activities… band (yes I was a band geek), various clubs many of which I lead by the end of school, and of course social activities with friends. I understand that High School students these days are busy on a whole new level.
I thought I was busy in College. Classes of course. And I worked – initially as a waitress and then later on campus. My weekends were consumed with skydiving in some way, shape, or form – we competed in collegiate team competitions. And, also of course, all the social stuff.
I thought I knew what busy was when I was in my twenties. Fresh out of college, first years in a job where suddenly I didn’t have summer or Christmas breaks. I filled my evenings with everything from movie nights, to girls nights, to Bible studies, and training for triathlons.
I thought I knew what busy was when I married and moved to California. I started working as a business analyst for a tech company and discovered I loved it. I devoted more and more hours to my work.
We had our lovely children fairly soon after our move to California. Children are a whole separate level of busy – in a very different way. Just getting through the day with all of us fed, bathed, and transported to and fro at the right times is a challenge in an of itself.
In August of 2011, I decided to add an EMBA degree to the mix, and my saint of a husband was very supportive. I participated in an accelerated program that is 15 months – 12 months of classes and 3 months of a final project. And busy hit a new gear in 2012 when classes started. And once I was there, I think I hit a point where I was so busy that it turned into “well what’s one more thing.” So June of 2012 I decided to self-publish my first novel.
My MBA classes are now completed. For anyone ever considering a secondary degree I highly recommend it. My college experience the second time around was much different from the first. My goals, perspective, experiences at 35 with kids, a husband, and a high powered job, were all very different from when I was 18. I loved every single second of it.
Many friends and family have asked what I intend to do with all that time I’m getting back. It is honestly difficult to remember what my life was like before my MBA started. My plan is to invest that time back into my family and really enjoy them – they are a blessing. And I can’t wait to see what this next phase of my life may bring. What will be my new “busy”?
Must say you are inspirational. I didn't know all that about you. You are go getter. Me… I'm 50 and fill like easing up a little. Doing stuff that I want to do. I've been the student (high school and college), missed most of my 20s because I was married to an ass and had two sons. 30s were spent struggling to make it through the day. My 40's were full of ah ha moments! Best year… 44! So you have something to look forward to! You are an inspiration to me! Kudos!
Thanks Cindy! I'm looking forward to the break post-MBA. And retirement, which is a ways away for me, often sounds very appealing. 🙂
I'm right there with you! I even took a week off work just to get stuff done around the house, and it's amazing what a week will do without all of the classes. I loved this post. I felt it!